Vacuum cleaning machine



Nov. 7, 1950 R. G. LEONARD VACUUM CLEANING MACHINE f4 sheets-sheet 1 Filed June 16, 1948 lll' ao `4 Sheets-Shea? 2 Filed June 16, 1948 8 o l z E, f 8 n l l l 6 Illyflllllfllllll//Wuvi C l 9 f J. 3 oo 4 m 9 4 n 0 A' Mnl. m n 4 7 n a if ,O o n l I the 5 l l 3 3 I 3 uw |l| a 2 M 3 4 G.

zElL-r-roRNEY.

N0V 7, 1950 R. G. LEONARD VACUUM CLEANING MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed June 16, 1948 ;lLwervT'oR) ROLLEN G. LEONARD,

TTORNEY.

Nov. 7, 1950 G. LEONARD 2,528,763

VACUUM CLEANING MACHINE Filed June 16, 1948 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 ICI-er. 'Z 97v 98 5l [u: .0 al 96 36 Q 4 38 32 33 84' l 34 23 l 8081 i v 39 35 f6 20 Z4 I "I la l z/ f f /9 2 I 5 1'7 isa 37T' l 57 """Qg- 2 5o I4 49 55 g 55 3 l l J( -58 I l lo f5 54 5a INVENTO R, RoLLEN G LEoNARo,

EET-ron New Patented Nov. 7, 1950 VACUUM CLEANING MACHINE Rollen G. Leonard, Indianapolis, Ind., assignor to Continental Car-Na-Var Corporation, Brazil, Ind., a corporation of Indiana Application June 16, 1948, Serial No. 33,361

This invention relates to a vacuum cleaner particularly of the heavy duty type Which Will provide a vacuum chamber into which is drawn dirt and refuse to be separated from the air before reaching the operating motor by reason of the stream of air which carries the dirt being carried through a water bath.

While the invention is particularly adapted to heavy duty work, it is of course capable of being produced in various sizes for diferent types of work.

A primary object of the invention is to provide a structure which will be not only very effective in producing a relatively high degree of vacuum, but will also carry picked up dirt and foreign matter through a quantity of water to separate that matter from the air flow before reaching the vacuum producing motor, and without permitting any part of that Water, even in vapor form, to reach the motor.

A further primary object of the invention is to provide a structure of the nature indicated which will permit the removal of the separated dirt simply by manipulating a valve to cause the dirt to be forced out into any convenient receptacle or the like apart from the machine, all without having to clean any separate dust bag or other chamber requiring removal from the device itself.

A still further important object of the invention is to provide a structure wherein the opere ating motor will operate in a continuous manner in one direction and by means of some type of a valve cause a vacuum to be produced in the intake chamber, and when desired, to create a pressure in that chamber in order to force outthe dirt laden water and sediment which may have collected therein, all Without having to change the motor drive in any respect.

These and many other objects including the simplicity of construction permitting easy access to the various members of the device, and the easy manipulating of the entire structure, will be understood by those versed in the art inthe following description of one particularl form of. the device as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a view in top plan of a structure ernbodying the device and also in partial section at various transverse levels from thetop of the den vice;

Fig. 2, a detailin vertical section on the lin 2 2 in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3, a diametrical vertical section on the lineY 3 3 in Fig. l;

12 Claims. (Cl. 18S-13) Fig. 4, a transverse section on the line 4 4 in Fig. 3;

Fig. 5, a detail in vertical section on the line 5 5 in Fig. 1;

Fig. 6, a detail in outside vertical elevation of the end oi an operating valve;

Fig. 7, a detail in vertical elevation through the upper portion of the device on the line 'I 'I in Fig. 1; and

Fig. 8, a detail in vertical section on the line 8 8, in Fig. 1.

Referring to the drawings in which like characters of reference indicate like parts throughout the several views, a cylindrical container lil hereinafter termed a tank is provided. This tank I may be provided with any suitable support desired such as a separate cart, or casters applied directly thereto, the cart and casters not being shown since they do not form a part of the invention per se. The upper end of the tank Il] is closed off by a pair of nested pans, a major pan il, and an inner pan I2, supported in spaced apart relation to provide an annular compartment I5 therearound, extending under the floor I4 of the tank I2 which is spaced a distance above the floor I5 of the pan I l. The pan I2 has a horizontally disposed annular flange i6, the outer portion of which rests directly upon the top side of the flange I1 extending horizontally and annularly from the pan Il. These two flanges IB and I'I are held compressively one against the other by means of an annularly grooved resilient gasket I8 receiving those iianges therein, this v gasket I8 being provided with a major portion I9 extending under the flange Il, and then oontinuing therefromv around and over on top of the flange I6 by a portion 2i). The diameters of the flanges I6 and Il, and consequently of the gasket I8 are such that the gasket will be disposed over the top edge 2! of the tank Ill.

A dome 22 is formed to have an under surface 23 to rest upon the top portion 20 of the gasket I3. and to have a downturned flange 24 extending vertically7 downwardly on the outside of that gasket I3. Thumb screws 25, Figs. 6 and 1, are hinged by transverse pins 25 carried through ears 2l' ilxed to the tank IB, to be rockable around to vertically disposed positions to enter Within slots 28 provided in the lugs 2S extending radially beyond the dome 22. Then on thelupper ends of these screws 25 there is a wing nut 3E] by means of Which the dome 22 may be pulled down comnressively against the gasket i8 so as to forma seal between the dome, the flanges I6 and VI'I,

and the top edge ZI of the tank Iii, In the form l herein shown, there are three of these thumb screws 25 employed to effect the desired seal.

Fromthe inner, underside of the dome 22 there extends downwardly an annular wall 3! which terminates by an inturned, horizontally disposed annular flange 32. Against the underside of this ange 33 there is compressed a resilient gasket 33 by means of a retaining ring 34, through which a plurality of screws 35 are carried to screwthreadedly engage with the flange 32. This gasket 33 extends radially inwardly toward the center of curvature of the ilange 32 a distance sufficient to permit resting upon its top side, the ange 35 turned horizontally and outwardly from a motor containing can 3l. This can 37! is carried by the gasket 33 by means of screws 38 passing down through the flange 36 and into an under securin-g ring 39 located against the underside of the gasket 33. The annular edge of the flange 36 and also of the retaining ring 39 are each respectively spaced from the flange 32 to permit vertical travel within a limited deg-ree of the can 31.

Within the can 3'! is mounted a motor 40 to have its armature disposed about a vertical axis 4|. The motor 48 may be mounted within the can in any number of different ways, and is herein shown as being supported, through a ring42 having the ears i3 resting on brackets 45 extending inwardly of the can 3'!, and the ears secured in position by means of screws 45, Fig. 1. The commutator i6 is herein shown, Fig. 3, as being disposed above the top .level of the can 31.. On the lower end of the armature shaft is secured in driving relation a vacuumV producing fan or turbine wheel 41, Fig. 3, and the can floor i8 is provided with a central opening 45 therethrough, located centrally of the wheel or fan 4l. The direction of rotation of the motor armature is such that the fan il will pull air into the can 3'! through the opening- 43, and discharge that air upwardly out of the top side of the can 3.7, across the motor itself, and also outside of the ring 42, between it and the flange 36.

, In view of thedescription of the structure so far set out, there is formed between the dome 22, the can 37 and the inner pan l2 and its extending flange I6, a chamber generally designated by the numeral 50. Also there is dei-ined another chamber 5'I'between the top of the dome 22 and the top of the can 3'! and its flange 36. The chamber 5I is sealed on' from the chamber 53 by means of the gasket At all times, the chamber 55 constitutes a chamber Within which there isv `at least a partial vacuum while the motor 4l) is running, and at the same time, the chamber 5I is under pressure. These two'v conditions never change throughout the entire operation of the device.

The fioor st of the pan u is provided with an `mally provided with a filling of any suitable air iiltering medium such as wool or cotton waste 51, or the like. Spun glass, spun metal, or any of such filter materials may be employed.

Within the chamber there is provided a dome 58 made out of a foraminousmaterial, such Y escape through this opening '15, while the majorY as metal screenV wire, Fig. 7. This dome 58 is provided to withhold the fibrous material 5'! from dropping through the opening 53. The chamber 55 is fitted snugly between the two pans I I and I2 so that the only exit of air therefrom as may be pulled into that chamber through the opening 53 is through the end walls designated respectively by the numerals 59 and 60.

From the iloor I5, `externally of the pan Il there extends downwardly a nipple 6I, the upper end portion of which surrounds the opening 53. The lower end of this nipple 6I is left open, and a valve of some sort, herein shown as a ilexible ball 62 is carried within that nipple 6I, and retained therein in its lower position by any suitable means, such as by the cross-wire 53. This valve member 62 is provided to be raised by floating upon water upwardly to fit snugly against the grommet 54, and provide a seal against that groinmet so as to prevent an undue height of water within the'tank I0 from entering into the chamber 55.

The vertical depth of the pan I I is such that it occupies only .a minor portion of the vertical height of the upper end of the tank I8, as best indicated in Fig. 3. Below the floor E5 of the pan I I there is provided an intake pipe 64 which is detachably connected inside of the tank to a nipple 65 which is fixed to the tank wall to extend outwardly therefrom, the outer end of this nipple 65 being used as a means to which any suitable hose (not shown) may be attached to extend to .the ordinary cleaning nozzle. The pipe 66 extends horizontally inwardly of the tank I0 from its connection with the nipple 65 for a distance Y herein shown as past the axis of the tank I6, and then turns downwardly by a vertical length 66 to open into a cap 6'! which is supported over a drum 58, in turn resting on the floor 69 of the tank l0.

The drum 68 is essentially a cylindrical vessel open at its top end, and having a floor 'I0 over approximately half of its area, Fig. 3. VThis floor 'I0 is spaced upwardly a distance from the floor 69 of the tank I0. The opening 1I through the oor 'Ill of the drum 68 is on a, side of the drum 68 opposite to that side toward which the vertical portion 66 of the pipe 64 is directed. The under side of the cap 6'! is open entirely across its lower end, and from the cylindrical wall l2 of `this cap 6'! there extends horizontally outwardly an annular flange 'd3 suii'icient to extend to at least and as herein shown, slightly beyond the vertical wall 14 of the drum 68. The cap 6'! is spaced above the top edge of the wall 'I4 to leave an annular opening 1,5 therebetween, this opening l5 being between the top edge of the wall 'I4 and the underside of the flange 13. This opening 'l5 is xed in vertical height, and is so proportioned that'when airy may be'drawn downwardly from the pipeV 64 into the cap 67, some of Vthe air may portion will be required to travel downwardly through the opening '!I and thence up into the inside of kthe tank I6. kNormally the tank Il) is supplied with'water up to a level indicated by the line 76', Fig. 3. The water level may vary somewhat, primarily above that line 16, but never below the opening elevation 15. n

A valve of any suitable construction, is employed to selectively interconnect the chambers I3, 56, ,and 5I whereby ,a desired iiow of air is obtained through the Atank lil and the nipple 65. For example when the device is to be operated to .j pull air into the nipple 65 and into the tank IO in the normal cleaning operation, the valve employed is set to cause the fan wheel 41 to evacuate the chambers I3 and 50 to discharge through the can 31 into the chamber 5|, and from there into the atmosphere. Then in a subsequent action to eliminate the accumulated dirt from the tank I9, the valve employed is changed to a second position whereby the chamber 5I is interconnected with the tank Ill so as to apply pressure thereto and force the ow initially of watel` containing the dirt outwardly through the pipe 64 and the nipple 65, while air is introduced from the atmosphere into the chambers 50 and i3. That is the air introduced into the two chambers I3 and 5@ is taken upwardly through the can 31 to supply the pressure in the chamber 5|.

As indicated, the valve employed may be of a construction varying considerably. Therefore one particular form of the valve is herein illustrated only to show one possibility of the valving arrangement.

In this form, there is disposed horizontally across ther dome 22 a cylindrical valve housing 11 within which is disposed a valve core 18 which may be rocked on its horizontal axis by means of an externally disposed lever 19. The valve housing 11 has a port 19a through its underside opening into a down turned nipple 8E. This port 'ma is adjacent that end of the housing toward which the handle 'i9 is mounted. has a ferrule 8| frictionally retained in its lower end portion to extend downwardly through the flange I6 into the chamber I3 between the pans Ii and I2, Fig. 2. Between the lower end of the nipple 8B and the top face of the flange it there is disposed a resilient gasket 82 so that an air seal is effected between the nipple and the iiange I6 when the dome is drawn down toward the top end of the can il as above described. The gasket 82 surroundsthe ferrule Si and is therefore very eiective as a seal not only between the lower end of the nipple Sii and the top face of the flange I6, but also prevents escape of air between the nipple 8@ and the ange i@ between the ferrule 8| and the inn-er wall of the nipple 80. The lower end of the ferrule 8| projects into the chamber I3 a distance, and this lower end of the nipple is surrounded by a wire mesh cup 83 which is ixed by its upper edge portion to the under side of the flange I6. The nipple 83 is located substantially diametrically across the dome 22 from the opening 53 through the door I5 of the pan il, Fig. l.

Adjacent the port 13a, is a second port Sli through the underside or" the valve housing 11. This port 84 opens into the chamber 563 which, as above indicated, is a vacuum chamber. Then there is a third port 85 spaced longitudinally along the underside of the housing l1 also opening into this chamber .'i.

Now referring to the valve core 18, this core is shown in the various views in that position wherein the device is operating in the normal manner to pull air into the nipple 55 and into the tank I0. The valve core 18 has a reduced diameter hub B6 on the right hand end as viewed in Fig. 2, and fixed on this hub 85 is the operating lever 19. This lever 19 is fixed thereto by any suitable means, herein sho-wn as by a pin 81 carried through the lever 19 and the hub 3S. To prevent longitudinal travel of the valve core 18 relative to the housing 11, the lever 19 is provided with a hub 28 and around that hub there is formed an annular groove 89 into which the end of a screw 90 is entered. Also to hold the valve core 18 in the position for normal operation as above The nipple 8:3 f

indicated, there is employed a torsion spring 9| having an end portion 92 entering the valve core 18, Fig. 2, from which the spring 9i coils around the hub 8B and then terminates by an end 93 extending into the housing 11.

With the valve core 13 in the position indicated, the core 18 is provided with a longitudinal chamber 94 adjacent the end from which the hub 86 extends. The chamber 9d has a port S5 registering with the housing port 19a, and also has a port 96 registering with the housing port S4. The core chamber Qt has a third port 91 on that side of the core disposed outwardly in reference to the chamber 5l along which the housing 11 is disposed. This port 91 is centered on a horizontal transverse axis through the core 18. From the chamber 94, there opens another port m8 on that side of the core 18 removed 180 degrees from the port 19a and normally closed by the housing 11.

Referring again to the valve housing 11, this housing 11 has a port 98 opening into the chamber 5|, and then longitudinally spaced therefrom is a second port Q3 also opening into the chamber 5|, Figs. l and 3. The housing port S8 is located to permit registry of the port 91 therewith upon suitable turning of the valve core 18, while the under housing port 8d is closed off.

Thevalve core 18 is provided with a passageway lili? extending diagonally thereacross on a horizontally disposed axis, the line of this axis being at an acute angle herein shown as approximately 45 degrees, with the line of the transverse axis through the port 89. This passageway mi! has a port lili in registry with the port Q9, at the one end, and has a port m2 at the other end to be in registry with a passageway |63 extending diagonally outwardly through the housing 11. There is a port IM opening through the top side of the valve core 18 from this diagonal passageway ISE, and then there is a port opening laterally from the inside portion of the core 18 at the end of a passageway It leading at right angles from tihe passageway IESE. is degres removed from the port m2, and upon 180 degrees rotation of the valve core 13, may be brought into registry with the passageway |03. Otherwise, the port i l5 is closed off by the wall of the housing 11 as indicated in Fig. 1.

The port m4 is located longitudinally of the core 18 to be brought into registry with the under port 85 upon 189 degrees travel of the core 18. In operation, when the motor iii is running, a vacuum is produced initially within the chamber 50. From that chamber air is carried upwardly through the can 31 as above indicated and into the top pressure chamber 5i, from which it may escape through the housing port 9S, and out across the valve core 13 through the passageway |09 to discharge into the atmosphere through the housing passageway H93. The port 98 is closed. By reason of the vacuum produced in the cha-niber 50, air will be pulled from the chamber i3, through the wire mesh protector or dome 83, through the ferrule Si, the nipple 89, through the Valve housing port 15. the valve port 13a, across the Valve core passageway |34, and Jflhrough the port 9S, and the housing port 84 into the chamber 5B, v

The vacuum produced in the annular chamber I 3, will cause air to be pulled upwardly from within the tank I@ through the hole 53, through the ltering medium 51, and into that chamber I3. Then the exhausting of the air from within the tank Ii) will of course set up a partial vacuum at least within that tank, and this vacuum in turn This port |85 l Sl cornes into registry with the port 98.

ibelow so that the air has to travel through that water bath before it can then travel up through the opening 53. In this regard, the filtering medium T is primarily employed to eliminate and retain any particles of dust which may be carried in bubbles emanating from the surface of Ithe water at the line 76. Thus it is to be seen that the device is operating as a Vacuum producing machine to pull the air in through the nipple S5 and have that air washed at the lower end p0rtion of the tank I8 and then be discharged out past the motor 4Q into the atmosphere from the valve housing passageway H13.

Then at suitable intervals, depending upon the nature of the work to which the device is submitted, that is depending upon the degree of intake of dirt and dust into the tank lil to be entrapped in the water therein, the lever 'i9 may be manipulated so Yas to discharge the dirt laden water. In this discharging action offthe device, the handle I9, Fig. 6, is rocked from the solid line position around vat least 180 degees to the dotted vline position. Since the lever 'I9 is normally spring returned, the handle 'irmust be held in that dash line position while the evacuating process of the dirt is being carried out; Therefore it is to be seen that the valve core 78 'has been rocked by the lever 19 at 180 degrees Yto elect a diierent flow of the air@ In this rocked position of the valve core I8, the port M comes into registry with the passageway [(33,V the port $39 is closed, and the port IM comes into registry with the p ort 85. Now this permits inflow of air from the passageway m3 and into the chamber 59 to the lower end of the can 3l, and'then upwardly through that can and into the top pressure chamberV 5l. The port 95 is closed off, and the port Also the port 03 comes .into registry with the port '19a while `the port 95 is closed oli".

5l causes air to flow therefrom and through the port S8, the port 91, across the valve core passageway 94, and down through the port 5&3 and outthrough the'nipple Sil, the` ferruletl, and into the chamber i3. `Buildingup pressure in that chamber I3 causes the air to continue to flow *onwardly through the lter medium 57, tending thereby somewhat to cleanl that medium by reverse flow and allow the flow to continue through the opening 53 down through the nipple 6| and into the tank IG to generate pressure therewithin.

Pressure within the'tank lli will depress theV level of the water 16 to cause it to flow upwardly and out the pipe 64.' This forced `flow of the water upwardly through the pipe 54 tends to agitate the water at the bottom of the tank Il) so that the water will carry the dirt along therewith. This outward flow of the water Vwill continue until thelevel comes down to the opening of the cap B2' over the drum 58 at the slot l5 whereupon no further water will be lifted upwardly from the tank, although there will be water in the cap Sl and the pipe 56, all of which will drop when the water has reached that discharge level where the air tends to escape through the opening l5. Therefore when air begins to iiow from the nipple E5, the handle T9 is released to allow it to returnto its normal operating position, whereupon the .entrapped vwater in the pipe 64 and the cap Y Therefore pressure generated in the chamber the tank l0, the amount of water so entrapped being suicient to maintain a level sufficiently high to cover the opening I5 in any event. This proportioning of the interior volumes of the pipe fifi and the cap 6l is made to be such as to serve as a safety factor whereby there will at all times be sufficient water within the tank Ill to insure air coming inwardly through the nipple to be required to pass through the Water.

Water will have to be replaced from time to time in the tank in order to maintain the desired level, and this is done by removing the dome 22 and the two pans Il and i2 and pouring the water into the vtank l0. A diierent method may be to draw water into the tank "Ill through the nipple -65 in the ordinary vacuum producing action as above described. However this may lead to introducing too much water within the tank l0, and in such an instance, the water level should it reach a suicient height within the tank It, to float the ball 62, will carry that ball on up and close 01T the opening 53 whereby the water cannot be drawn up and eventually pass through the motor B to damage it. Of course ball t2 will drop downwardly to open the opening 53 upon reduction of that water level.

While I have herein shown and described my invention in minor detail, it is obvious that structural variations may be employed such for eX- as above' indicated in the exact construction of the valve in particular, and also in lrelation to the other structural details involving seals and the like, all without departing from the spirit of the invention, and I therefore do not desire to be limited to that precise form beyond the limitations which may be imposed by the following claims. I

I claim:

l. A. vacuum cleaning machineV comprising in combination, a tank having three compartments, namely a pressure compartment, a vacuum compartment, and a rmajor tank compartment adapted to hold water; vacuum producing means interposed between said vacuumV and pressure compartments whereby said vacuum compartment is evacuated and content thereof discharged into pressure compartment; single valve means for selectively interconnecting said vacuum and said pressure compartments with said tank compartment and, inreverse order, interconnecting said vacuurn and'said pressure compartments to the atmosphere, whereby said tank compartment may selectively be evacuated or pressurized, a water and, air discharge head in said tank compartment adjacent its -floor; a conduit interconnecting said head with the atl mosphere; and means carried by said head normally submerged in said water to retain a sufcient volume of water to water seal said conduit in said tank compartment following a tank compartmentpressurization to that point to have air discharging from the conduit to the atmosphere, whereby subsequent air inow through the conduit from the atmosphere will be required to pass through an appreciable head of water.

2. A. vacuum cleaning machine comprising in combination, a tank having three compartments, namely a pressure compartment, a vacuum compartment, and a major tank compartment; vacuum producing means interposed between said vacuum and pressureV compartments whereby said vacuum compartment is evacuated and content thereof discharged into said pressure compartment; and single valve means for selectively interconnecting said vacuum and said pressure chambers with said tank chamber and, in reverse order, interconnecting said vacuum and said pressure chambers to the atmosphere, whereby said tank chamber may selectively be evacuated or pressurized; a conduit in said tank cornpartment entering from the atmosphere; said tank being adapted to hold water therein; and a W water limit level determining head located to be submerged in part at least in said water; said conduit being terminated interiorly of the tank compartment in said head; -said head having vertically spaced openings and an offset chamber relative to and in communication with said conduit to carry a suflicient volume of water to cover the upper of said openings following an air flow through said conduit and release of said pressure.

3. A Vacuum cleaning machine comprising in combination, a tank having three compartments, namely a pressure compartment, a vacuum compartment, and a major tank compartment; vacuum producing means interposed between said vacuum and pressure compartments whereby said vacuum compartment is evacuated and content thereof discharged into said pressure compartment; and single valve means for selectively interconnecting said vacuum and Said pressure chambers with said tank chamber and in reverse order, interconnecting said vacuum and said pressure chambers to the atmosphere, whereby said tank chamber may selectively be evacuated or pressurized; a conduit in said tank compartment entering from the atmosphere; said tank being adapted to hold water therein; and a low water limit level determining head located to be submerged in part at least in said water; said conduit being terminated interiorly of the tank compartment in said head; a filter c-hamber interposed between vsaid valve means and said tank compartment; and float means sealing off entrance to said chamber upon said water reaching a predetermined high level.

4. A vacuum cleaning machine comprising in combination, a tank having three compartments, namely a pressure compartment, a'vacuum compartment, and a major tank compartment; vacuum producing means interposed between said vacuum and pressure compartments whereby said Vacuum compartment is evacuated and content thereof discharged into said pressure compartment; and single valve means for selectively interconnecting said vacuum and said pressure chambers with said tank chamber and in reverse order, interconnecting said vacuum and said pressure chambers to the atmosphere, whereby said tank chamber may selectively be evacuated l or pressurized; and means yieldingly retaining said valve means in a normal condition for evacuation of said tank compartment.

5. A vacuum cleaning machine, comprising a tank adapted to hold water in a lower portion thereof and having a top opening; a pan having a flange formed to overlie the margin of said tank opening; a tank cover having a margin formed to overlie the marginal portion of said flange; sealing means interposed between said cover, ilange and opening margins; a can positioned within said cover and said pan defining a chamber between it and said cover, sealed oiT from said pan; a motor driven air-flow means carried by said can to flow air into said chamber; said can having an opening outside of said chamber whereby air may be carried through said opening from said pan as a source for said ow;

said tank having a combined inlet and outlet orice; a conduit within said tank for directing air ini-lowing from said oriee into said water; and valve means interposed between said chamber, said pan, and said tank for a normal airow from said tank into said pan, through said can and chamber, and out into the atmosphere, and for a tank cleaning air-flow from the atmosphere, into said pan, through said can and chamber, and into said tank'to tend to evacuate it through said conduit.

6. A vacuum cleaning machine, comprising a tank adapted to hold water in a lower portion thereof and having a top opening; a pan having a ange formed to overlie the margin of said tank opening; a tank cover having a margin formed to overlie the marginal portion of said flange; sealing means interposed between said cover, ange and opening margins; a can positioned within said cover and said pan defining a chamber between it and said cover, sealed off from said pan; a motor driven air-flow means carried by said can to flow air into said chamber; said can having an opening outside of said chamber whereby air may be carried through said opening from said pan as a source for said flow; said tank having a combined inlet and outlet orice; a conduit within said tank for directing air inflowing from said orifice into said water; and valve means interposed between said chamber, said pan, and said tank for a normal air-flow from said tank into said pan, through said can and chamber, and out into the atmosphere, and for a tank cleaning air-flow from the atmosphere, into said pan, through said can and chamber, and into said tank to tend to evacuate it through said conduit; and means at the lower, inner end of .said conduit limiting discharge of said water therethrough.

7. A vacuum cleaning machine, comprising a tank adapted to hold water in a lower portion thereof and having a top opening; a pan having a flange formed to overlie the margin of said tank opening a tank cover having a margin formed to overlie the marginal portion of said flange; sealing means interposed between said cover, flange and opening margins; a can positioned within said cover and said pan dening a chamber between it and said cover, sealed off from said pan; a motor driven air-flow means carried by said can to flow air into said chamber; said can having an opening outside of said chamber whereby air may be carried through said opening from said pan as a source for said fiow; saidrtank having a combined inlet and outlet orifice; a conduit within said tank for directing air inilowing from said orice into said water; and valve means interposed between said chamber, said pan, and said tank for a normal airow from said tank into said pan, through said can and chamber, and out into the atmosphere, and for a tank cleaning air-flow from the atmosphere, into said pan, through said can and chamber, and into said tank to tend to evacuate it through said conduit; a second pan spaced below said first pan and having a marginal ange outturned to overlie said tank opening margin and be within saidsealing means; a lter chamber carried by said second pan having va tank opening and a second pan opening; and said valve means having its flow directed into said second pan and thence through said filter chamber.

8. A vacuum cleaning machine, comprising a tank adapted to hold water in a lower portion afname thereof and having a top opening; a pan havingV a fiange formed` to overlie the margin of saidI tank opening; a tank cover having a margin,Y

formed to overlie the marginal portion of said Y frange; sealing means interposed between said cover, flange and opening margins; a can positionedY within said cover and said pan deiining a chamber between it and said cover, sealed,

chamber to the atmosphere; and a second' pan disposed across said" tank spaced below said rst pan and sealably connecting by its peripheralA edge portion with the tank; said machine havingA a passageway therewithin leadingv from said valve and opening within` said second pan; said;

opening from saidpan asa source for saidflow;

said tank having a combined inlet and outlet.. orice; a conduit within said tank for directing air inflowing from said orice into said water; and valve means interposedbetween said chamber, said pan, and said tank for a normal airiow from saidtank, into said pan, through. said can and. chamber, and Yout into the atmosphere;

andfor a tank cleaning air-flow from the atmosphere, into said pan, through said 4can and cham-- ber, and into said tank to tend'kto evacuate it throughsaid conduit; a second pan spacedV below said first pan and havinga marginal ange outturned to `overlie said tankppening margin and be within said sealing means; a filter chamber carried bysaidsecond pan having a tank opening and a second pan opening; and said valve means having its flow directed into, said second pan and thence through said lter chamber; and a float for closingv olf said filter chamber to tank opening upon a predetermined rise of water in said tank.

9. A vacuum cleaning machine comprising a tank adapted to holdwater in a lower portion thereof jand having a top opening; a tank cover sealably closingy saidtank, and provided with a pressure chamber; a pan extendingY across said tank forming a, vacuum chamber under said cover; a vacuum producing unit having an intake fromgsaid vacuum chamber jand a discharge into said pressure chamber; a conduit in said tank opening nean the fioor thereoig by one end and externally ofY the tank byits` other end; a,

valve interposed between said pressure chamber,r said vacuum chamber, and said tank, and Ashiftable selectively to one, of two positions, namely one position to open said pressure chamber to the` atmosphere and interconnect said vacuum chamber with said tank .for normal operation, and the second position of interconnecting/said, pressure chamber with said tank and-opening said `vac-y uum chamber to theatrnosphere.

10.,A. vacuumcleaning machine comprising a tank adapted to hold water in a lower portion thereof and having a top opening; a tank cover sealably closing said tank, and provided with av pressure chamber; a pan extending across said tank forming a vacuum chamber under said cover; a vacuum producing unit having an intake from said vacuum chamber and a discharge into said pressureV chamber; a conduit in said tank opening near the floorthereof by one end and externally of the tank by its other end; a valvey interposed betweenv said pressure chamber, said vacuum chamber, and said tank, and shiftable selectively to'one ofY two positions, namely one position to open said-pressure chamber to the atmosphere and interconnect said vacuum chamber withV said tank for normal operation, and the second position ofV interconnecting .said pressure chamber Vwith saidr tank and opening said vacuum second pan having an yopening to said tank spaced from said passageway opening; and a filter medium overV saidsecond pan tank opening to, catch dust and to return to said tank moisturel tending to rise therefrom.Y

1v1, A vacuum cleaning machine comprising a tank adapted to hold water in a lower portion thereof and having a top opening; a tank coversealably closing said tank, and provided with a pressure chamber; a pan extending acrosssaid tank forming a vacuum chamber under said cover; a vacuum producing unit having an intake from said vacuum chamber and a discharge n, into s aidV pressure chamber;- a conduit in said tank opening near the floor thereof by one end and externally of thetank by its other end; a

valve interposed between said pressure chamber,`

saidy vacuum chamber, and said tank; and shiftable selectively to one of two positions, namely one position to open said pressure chamber to the atmosphere and interconnect said Vacuum chamber with said;- tank4 for normal operation, and the second position of interconnecting said pressure chamber with said tank andj opening said vacuum chamber to the atmosphere; and means normally returning andV yieldingly holding said valve meansin said`r one position.

12. A vacuum cleaning machine comprising a tank adapted to hold water` in a lower portion thereof and havinga-top opening; a tank cover sealably closing said tank, and provided with a pressure chamber; a pan extending across said tank forming avacuum chamber under saidcover; a vacuum producing unit having an intake from saidY vacuum chamber and a discharge into saidpressure chamber; a conduit in said tank opening near the floor thereof by one end and externally of the tank by its other end; a valve interposed between said pressure chamber, said vacuum chamber, and said tank, and shiftable selectively to one of two positions, namely one positionv to opensaid pressure'chamber t0 the` atmosphere and interconnect said vacuum chamber with said tank for normal operation, and the second position of interconnectingsaid pressure chamber with saidgtank and opening said vacuum chamber to the atmosphere; and means normallyreturning and yieldingly holding said Valve means in said one-position; said water REFERENCES. CITED The -following references are of record in the iile of this patent:

UNITED sTATEs EA'ris'rrrsy Number Name Date 942,037 Markstein Nov. 30, 1909 2,444,809. Cranmer July'6, 1948v 

